Tackle elgible?

I noticed a LOT of times early in the game against the Chiefs, we reported to the ref a "tackle elgible"...
Is that just because we were using Beachum as a blocking tight end, and had to announce it, because of the number he wears, or maybe to prevent an "illeagle formation" penalty?
It`s usually a rare thing, but it seemed like I heard it more than 4 times near the beginning of the game.
I was also having issues watching the beginning of the game, so it may have been more.
Just seemed rather strange to me, and hadn`t seen any talk about it in previous threads(although I haven`t got a chance to read up on all of them yet)...
Can any of the coaches/more knowledgeable board members here, explain, what was up with that?
Thanks, if ya can help clarify.
GO STEELERS!

 

This is nothing new or a big thing or whatever. A lot of teams use a like a "jumbo set" where they bring in an extra linemen for blocking purposes (technically usually playing a TE role). Apparently the team wanted to try it out with him during the preseason (possibly could factor in keeping an extra TE...or what to do with Spaeth/etc). And yes that have to declare eligible as they are not playing an OL spot but a spot that can touch the ball (though that rarely happens).

 

they have been doing it with him throughout camp mostly in short yardage. last night it was more then that.

 

Thanks.
I`ve usually seen it on goal line, where a team can throw to a tackle, in the endzone, from a yard or two away, but they have to declare him "eligible" to recieve the ball, to avoid a penalty, on throwing to an "ineligible reciever"...
Rarely do they actually throw it to the tackle, but it makes it legal if they do, and gives the defense sumthin to think about...
What we were doing last night seemed quite different from that scenario, so I was a bit confused...
I was guessin it had sumthin to do with avoiding a penalty for having too many men on the line of scrimmage, or something like that. Maybe just a player usually designated as a linemen, playing out of position.
Just seemed strange..
Thanx for the help.
GO STEELERS!

 

I am afraid until we get Heath back you will see alot of this set. That being said,it pretty much takes alot out of your playbook,opposing teams defense's will game plan for this. This is NOT GOOD. It tells me their is NO confidence in either tackle or tight end currently on roster. Please hurry back Heath.

 

who has confidence on our tackles ?

 

Opposing defensive coordinators, I'd imagine... Confidence that 4 man rushes will probably do the job perfectly.